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Cubs interview former Seattle skipper Wedge

Cubs interview former Seattle skipper Wedge

9/29/13: Mariners manager Eric Wedge discusses the end of his tenure with the team and the club's maturation process

By Carrie Muskat
/
MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- The Cubs interviewed Eric Wedge on Tuesday at Wrigley Field for the vacant manager's job, and are waiting for the World Series to end to talk to Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo.

Wedge, 45, was the American League Manager of the Year in 2007 when the Indians won 96 games and finished first in the American League Central. He compiled a 561-573 record in Cleveland, but was dismissed after a 97-loss season in 2009.

Wedge had been the Mariners' manager since 2011, posting a 213-273 record. He also missed 27 games this season after suffering a minor stroke.

He's the fifth candidate to talk to the Cubs about the managerial opening, joining Rick Renteria, A.J. Hinch, Dave Martinez and Manny Acta.

Lovullo, 48, also believed to be on the Cubs' list, is not available to interview until after the World Series ends. Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, knows Lovullo well, having hired him to manage Boston's Triple-A Pawtucket team in 2010.

There was also a report Tuesday by Comcast Sportsnet Chicago that the Cubs may talk to Brad Ausmus, 44, who interviewed Monday with the Tigers. Ausmus played 18 seasons, and he is currently a special assistant with the Padres. Epstein has said he preferred to hire someone with managerial experience, and Ausmus has only managed Team Israel in a qualifying tournament for the World Baseball Classic.

The Cubs' candidates aren't waiting for Epstein to make up his mind. This week, Renteria, 51, interviewed for the Mariners' job and he is also expected to be considered by the Tigers. Renteria played parts of five seasons with the Pirates, Mariners and Marlins, has managed in the Marlins and Padres organizations, and managed Mexico's team in the World Baseball Classic this year.

Hinch, 39, managed the D-backs for parts of the 2009-10 seasons, and he is now in the Padres' front office and involved with player development, which will be a key requirement for the next Cubs manager with young players such as Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Albert Almora on the horizon.

Martinez, 49, has been the Rays bench coach the last six seasons, and Acta, 44, managed the Indians and Nationals.

The only deadline Epstein has set is to have someone in place by Nov. 11 when the General Manager Meetings are held. Dale Sveum was dimissed on Sept. 30 after two seasons as manager.